Arsenal have been backed to overcome a superior PSG side in the Champions League final
08:24, 30 May 2026
Mikel Arteta
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Mikel Arteta is looking to lead Arsenal to a double(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal will have the upper hand in the Champions League final despite being up against a superior PSG side, according to Rio Ferdinand.
After wrapping up the Premier League title with a game to spare, Gunners fans have been celebrating the club's first league crown in 22 years. For Mikel Arteta and the players, it is back to business as they look to complete a historic double by toppling the holders and favourites in Budapest.
Arteta had the luxury of resting players for the final-day win at Crystal Palace, meaning most of the squad is fit and refreshed ahead of the big game, while Jurrien Timber looks set to be involved after recovering from a groin injury that kept him out of the last 14 games.
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Ferdinand says PSG are a better side in virtually every facet of the game, apart from one key area, which he sees as an obvious weakness for the French champions - set-pieces. Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ferdinand said: "I now think that Arsenal are going to win the Champions League.
"You know why? Let me explain myself. PSG are the better team, 100 per cent. Right now, they've got the team, they're the better footballing team, better style of play, they're the best team on the planet to watch and their manager [Luis Enrique] is the best right now at this point.
"But they look uncomfortable at set-pieces. Even Bayern Munich, who aren't great at set-pieces, they made them look uncomfortable and I've seen it many times this season."
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The Gunners' approach to set-pieces has attracted criticism from some quarters this season but there's no denying they have played a key role in their success.
Ferdinand added: "Arsenal play a lot of football and a lot of it is driven to set-pieces. And I think Arsenal fans would agree with that.
"They're the best team in the Premier League at set-pieces and if they get set-pieces and free-kicks and corners, they are going to cause absolute carnage against that small PSG team.
Rio Ferdinand believs Senne Lammens can be Manchester United's number one for the next ten years.
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Rio Ferdinand has highlighted PSG's main weakness(Image: Rio Presents/ YouTube screengrab)
"Physically, at set-pieces, PSG can not compete with Arsenal and if Arsenal get any type of possession and any type of free-kicks around the box, or even the halfway line, they're going to cause damage."
The Gunners will have to be at their best defensively. Timber, who has been sidelined for 76 days, will be tasked with taming the brilliant Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who forms one third of PSG's potent front three alongside Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.
The French champions have scored an impressive 44 times in Europe this season, although Arsenal can boast the steeliest defence, having conceded just six goals across their unbeaten 14 games to the final.
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